The number of people applying for asylum and international protection in the EU for the first time increased in January, the EU’s statistics office (Eurostat) reported on Monday.
Syrians, Afghans, Turks, and Venezuelans filled in the largest number of asylum applications, with Germany, Spain, Italy, and France being the most popular choices.
In January this year, the EU accepted 85,855 asylum applications from people seeking international protection in the Union for the first time.
The number represents a 3% rise in applications compared to a year earlier, resulting in an average of 19.1 asylum seekers per 100,000 EU residents.
In January this year, the EU accepted 85,855 asylum applications from people seeking international protection in the Union for the first time.
The number represents a 3% rise in applications compared to a year earlier, resulting in an average of 19.1 asylum seekers per 100,000 EU residents.
According to EU data, Poland received 9,475 asylum applications in 2023.
Syrians remain the largest group of foreigners seeking asylum for the first time (almost 13,500 applicants). Also heavily represented were Afghans (over 7,000), Turks (6,300), and Venezuelans (6,200).
The group included 2,655 minors who came to Europe alone, without an adult guardian. The largest number of underage asylum seekers came from Syria (810) and Afghanistan (480).
Germany remains the EU country that receives the most asylum applications (over 26,300), followed by Spain (13,700), Italy (12,900), and France (11,600).
U.K. intends to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised on Monday to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.The upper house of parliament finally passed the required legislation within 10 to 12 weeks, after weeks of delays due to attempts to alter the plan.
Under the policy formulated two years ago and agreed upon with Rwanda, any asylum seeker who arrives illegally in Britain will be sent to Rwanda under a scheme the government says will deter Channel crossings and smash the people smugglers’ business model.
“No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda,” Sunak told a news conference earlier on Monday.
However, some commentators have highlighted that the program may still face challenges, given that the Human Rights Act is part of British law.
Syrians remain the largest group of foreigners seeking asylum for the first time (almost 13,500 applicants). Also heavily represented were Afghans (over 7,000), Turks (6,300), and Venezuelans (6,200).
The group included 2,655 minors who came to Europe alone, without an adult guardian. The largest number of underage asylum seekers came from Syria (810) and Afghanistan (480).
Germany remains the EU country that receives the most asylum applications (over 26,300), followed by Spain (13,700), Italy (12,900), and France (11,600).
U.K. intends to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised on Monday to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.The upper house of parliament finally passed the required legislation within 10 to 12 weeks, after weeks of delays due to attempts to alter the plan.
Under the policy formulated two years ago and agreed upon with Rwanda, any asylum seeker who arrives illegally in Britain will be sent to Rwanda under a scheme the government says will deter Channel crossings and smash the people smugglers’ business model.
“No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda,” Sunak told a news conference earlier on Monday.
However, some commentators have highlighted that the program may still face challenges, given that the Human Rights Act is part of British law.
Tens of thousands of migrants have reached Britain in recent years by crossing the English Channel in small boats organized by people-smuggling gangs.
The British government has said that stopping the flow is a priority; however, Home Office data reveals a 24% increase in small boat arrivals from January 1 to April 21 last year compared to this year. There were 6,265 arrivals in 2024 and 5,049 in 2023.
Of the 129,407 initial asylum decisions received between April 15 last year and April 14 this year, 89,365 were substantive, with 56,744 grants and 36,597 refusals, a grant rate of 61%.
Critics of the program have stated that the number of asylum seekers planned to be deported would only represent a small fraction of those who have recently arrived on British shores. Some commentators have also stated that there is no evidence to support the government’s suggestion that it would act as a deterrent.
Other European countries, including Austria and Germany, are also looking at agreements to process asylum seekers abroad.
Sunak will be in Warsaw on Tuesday to meet with Polish PM Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Both countries and the security system are looking for ways to improve their air defenses.
The British government has said that stopping the flow is a priority; however, Home Office data reveals a 24% increase in small boat arrivals from January 1 to April 21 last year compared to this year. There were 6,265 arrivals in 2024 and 5,049 in 2023.
Of the 129,407 initial asylum decisions received between April 15 last year and April 14 this year, 89,365 were substantive, with 56,744 grants and 36,597 refusals, a grant rate of 61%.
Critics of the program have stated that the number of asylum seekers planned to be deported would only represent a small fraction of those who have recently arrived on British shores. Some commentators have also stated that there is no evidence to support the government’s suggestion that it would act as a deterrent.
Other European countries, including Austria and Germany, are also looking at agreements to process asylum seekers abroad.
Sunak will be in Warsaw on Tuesday to meet with Polish PM Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Both countries and the security system are looking for ways to improve their air defenses.
Source: PAP, Reuters, Eurostat, U.K. Home Office
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